CBS News - Sicily's Mount Etna has erupted violently but briefly overnight, spewing out lava and flames, in a spectacular display that could be seen for kilometres around it and presents no risk to villages nearby.

Mount Etna, Europe's tallest and most active volcano, erupted for a few hours late on Sunday, lighting up the sky over easter Sicily with a display of flames and lava.

Sparks lit the night sky and a small stream of lava was flowing down the volcano into an uninhabited valley but there was no danger to villages lower down on the slopes, officials said.

The wind blew volcanic ash onto several villages and the airport in Catania, a city at the base of the volcano, was closed during the night as a precaution.

Etna erupts regularly but usually causes little damage to inhabited areas.

 

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